President Obama gave Nancy Pelosi as effective an endorsement as someone whose mosquitos-to-bug-zapper governing style just helped decimate a political party can when he said that Pelosi has been an “outstanding partner.” Now it looks as if Pelosi will indeed remain the Dem leader, sans gavel:

Pelosi is assured of remaining Democratic party leader when the new Congress convenes in January under a Republican majority. She has drawn no opposition for the post even though several members of the rank and file have said they would prefer she step aside after historic election losses. The GOP gained at least 60 seats in midterm elections, more than enough to return to power after a four-year absence.

The only remaining question was the battle for Minority Whip:

House Democrats averted a messy leadership struggle, clearing the way for Maryland Rep. Steny Hoyer to become second in command of their new minority without a challenge from South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn.

How was a messy challenge averted?

Under an arrangement worked out in private, officials said late Friday that Clyburn would instead receive a new position, title unknown and duties undescribed, explicitly labeled the third-ranking post in leadership.

Imagine if the Republicans created a figurehead position out of thin air to keep “the black guy” from making waves and challenging the two white people at the top. MSNBC would have their lead story for the next week.

The new as-yet untitled position (I assume “President of the Back of the House Bus” is not under consideration) Pelosi is creating for Clyburn will at some point be known as “We lost because of him!”

How long Pelosi will be able to carry out this “job titles in exchange for standing down” strategy for deflecting leadership challenges remains to be seen. Before 2011 is over there will probably be plenty of “Second Assistant to the Assistant Leader” kind of titles bestowed on countless Democrats.